Questions About Your Piggies

Question: So I just got a guinea pig yesterday, at the pet store and I did not know that you can rescue guinea pigs at the shelter. The nearest one has only dogs and cats, I think. I have just now relized the harm pet stores have been doing to the animals, so what can I do to help my guinea pig feel happy and comfortable? And how do I not make that mistake again? Priscilla, my piggy is solo, and I am thinking of getting her a buddy.

Re: Questions About Your Piggies

Getting her a buddy from a rescue would be the best thing you can do. Look on Petfinder and see if one is available. If not, post the city/state where you live, and we'll see if we can help you find one.

Re: Questions About Your Piggies

How many days are recommended for the quarantine period? And how do I clean her cage while she is still adjusting? If I am going to get another guinea pig (when its affordable), what temporary cage would you recommend for the introducing quarantine?

Re: Questions About Your Piggies

21 days is a standard quarantine period. This is the amount of time that it would take any dormant illness to show up if it was present. This also means that quarantine must be in two separate rooms and behind closed doors, not just separate cages in the same room.

There is no "introducing quarantine" so I don't know what you mean about a temporary cage for it. As for introductions, there is no "temporary cage" for that either. You would do introductions in an open area, not in the cage they would both eventually be living in. This gives both pigs plenty of room to meet or avoid each other as they need to in order to establish a connection. When the time comes, there is a wonderful info page here on how to do proper introductions. Also remember that introductions should be one and done. There is no "gradual introduction" or "multiple play dates". Each time two pigs are introduced then separated then put together again, they need to start over establishing dominance. It's stressful for them so it needs to be one time for as long as they need it to be.

Re: Questions About Your Piggies

You take her out of the cage to clean it. Quarantine doesn't mean you can't handle her, it just means she shouldn't be put with another pig until 21 days is over. That's to protect any pig already in the house from getting parasites/infections from a new one, and to save you from vet bills.

GPs really need a buddy. They're much happier and more entertaining if there are at least two of them. If you can't afford another pig, can you afford vet bills for this one? GPs need exotic vets, and they can be expensive and hard to find.

You're not by any means the only newbie here. See these links for information for new GP owners:

Re: Questions About Your Piggies

Originally Posted by PriscillaTheGP

What if the illness shows up early?

There is no "early". You would put the new pig into quarantine as soon as you bring him/her home. Quarantine will last 21 days. If illness shows up during the 21 days, you take the pig to the vet, get medication and keep the pig in quarantine through that period.

Will my guinea pig need medication?

It depends on what illness the pig has but you are getting ahead of yourself.

How can I get her out of the cage so I can clean it? This is during the quarantine period.

Re: Questions About Your Piggies

I would recommend you go on YouTube and watch many "skinnypigs1" videos and "little adventures" for EVERYTHING you need to know! Guinea pigs NEED friends so if you can't give her a friend you can't keep her as happy as she could be.

Re: Questions About Your Piggies

Supplies are the cheapest thing about a guinea pig. You need several hundred dollars in a vet fund in case your pig needs treatment. The pig depends on you for everything, and medical care is just as much a part of responsible pet ownership as food and housing. If your pig is injured, or has an illness, or needs surgery, it is very unfair to it for you not to be able to take it to the vet because you can't afford it.

Re: Questions About Your Piggies

For what [MENTION=13820]bpatters[/MENTION] said I have a empty gum jar with about $300 in it for emergency animal costs (including my piggies and aquarium) when and if i need to use it *knock on wood* I have the money ready. It makes thing seem cheaper when the time comes to use it!

Re: Questions About Your Piggies

Yea that's what I mean. I watched a video on how to handle your piggy, I tryed it for the first time. First I let her smell my hand so she can get used to my scent but when I put my hand under her belly to lift her up and support her rump, she jumped over my hand and hid in her hideaway. This first time wasn't successful, when I tryed the second time she ran away and hid again. I don't want to do it over and over again because I don't want to feel uncomfortable and scared. What should I do?